A look at the Padres’ undrafted free agents

As of right now, the Padres have agreed to terms with six undrafted free agents. The haul includes a trio of pitchers, including 6’7, 260-pound Chase Walter from Western Carolina University. He is joined by another sizable pitcher in the University of Hawaii’s Carter Loewen, who is 6’4 and 230 pounds.

Here’s a short synopsis on all the undrafted free agents that have reportedly signed with the Padres up to this point.

Shortstop Sam Ruta - Pennybury High School (PA)

• Army commit

From PerfectGame.com (finding high school stats are hard):

“Sam Ruta is a 2020 SS/3B with a 6-2 185 lb. frame from Yardley, PA who attends Pennsbury. Large, athletic frame with broad shoulders and present strength proportioned well throughout frame. Ran a 7.13 60-yard dash. Primary infielder with tools for third base, fields the ball out front, short steps moving towards the ball with deliberate actions, gets on top of throws well with a short arm stroke, showed balance on the charge, accurate across the diamond with arm strength that will continue to develop. Lefthanded hitter, begins with a medium hand set and shifts well into contact with lower half. Fluid swing and creates solid bat speed through the zone with loose hands. Easy carry off the barrel and projects very well at physical maturation, gets extended out front with leverage at point of contact and pop to his pull side. High level offensive tools. Very good student.”

Right-handed pitcher Carter Loewen - Hawaii

• 6’4 230 pounds
• 2020: 7.1 innings pitched, 4.91 ERA, six strikeouts, seven hits allowed, 4-3 record
• 2019: 11.1 innings pitched, 3.18 ERA, five strikeouts, seven hits allowed, 2-8 record
• 2018: Made one appearance against Cal Poly and allowed two runs with zero strikeouts

From the Star Advertiser: “Loewen has fully recovered from ailments that required surgery to his pitching arm in 2016. He redshirted as a freshman in 2017, pitched in one game in 2018, and made 10 relief appearances in 2019. In the pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season, Loewen did not allow a run in six of seven appearances. He earned a save in a road game against second-ranked Vanderbilt. His velocity topped at 95 mph during the season.”

Left-handed pitcher Danny Denz - Memphis

• 5’9 197 pounds
• 2020: 18 innings pitched, 1.50 ERA, 7 hits allowed, 3 runs allowed, 26 strikeouts, 1 home run allowed, 2-0 record
• 2019: 32.1 innings pitched, 7.79 ERA, 31 hits allowed, 32 runs allowed, 30 strikeouts, 4 home runs allowed, 2-3 record
• 2018: 46.2 innings pitched, 4.63 ERA, 38 hits allowed, 28 runs allowed, 45 strikeouts, 5 home runs allowed, 1-3 record
• 2017: 21 innings pitched, 4.71 ERA, 23 hits allowed, 15 runs allowed, 20 strikeouts, 2 home runs allowed, 1-1 record with a save

Infielder Zack Mathis - LSU

• 5’8 188 pounds
• 2020 (LSU): 20 games, 17 hits, 9 RBIs, 1 home runs, .262 batting average
• San Juaquin Delta College (Two years): 99 games, 134 hits, 134 RBIs, 14 home runs, .352 batting average
• Was named a JUCO All-American and earned All-Northern California, All-Big 8 honors

Outfielder Michael Green - Clemson

• 5’11 205 pounds
• 2019 (Clemson): 28 games, 31 hits, 14 RBIs, 3 home runs, .307 batting average
• 2018: Played at Florence Darling Technical College
• 2017: Played at College of Charleston
• Was dismissed from the Clemson baseball team due to a rules violation

Pitcher Chase Walter - Western Carolina

• 6’7 260 pounds
• 2020: 16.2 inning pitched, 16 hits allowed, 17 runs allowed, 24 strikeouts, 1 home run allowed, 1-2 record, 7.56 ERA
• 2019: 91.0 innings pitched, 90 hits allowed, 57 runs allowed, 113 strikeouts, 6 home runs allowed, 5-6 record, 4.89 ERA
• 2018: 83.0 innings pitched, 95 hits allowed, 58 runs allowed, 72 strikeouts, 10 home runs allowed, 3-7 record, 5.53 ERA